https://aeuo.eu/blogs/dlod.atomaeuoeu - Don't let others decide2017-11-13T22:58:00+01:00aeuoeuhttps://aeuo.eu/blogs/dlod/dont-let-others-decide-mohammed2017-11-13T22:58:00+01:002017-11-13T22:58:39+01:00Mohamad is his own role modelFerkan Metin
In spite of Mohamed’s incredibly muscular chest, his warm approach to his environment is what catches the eye most.

In spite of Mohamed’s incredibly muscular chest, his warm approach to his environment is what catches the eye most. His positivity and optimism are definitely not pretended, and are in fact, a necessity for continuing his life happily after what he has been through.

Can you tell us more about your role models, Mohamad?Everyone who knows that he or she is not perfect, but still manages to keep doing what they do, have the potential to be among my role models. Having said that, I’m glad to tell you there are a lot of those people around me.

Who is the first person that comes to mind?I am. This may sound rather strange, but I’ll explain you why. I used to be rich, back in Syria. I ran my own business when I was 19. I gave up my study, thinking that my business was going to be my future. Business were doing well and I was able to build my own house. I started working 19 hours a day. From scratch, I had built a successful organization. Then the war began. It took only a single bomb to lose everything I had worked for. After that I haven’t been able to build something from scratch anymore, as I realized how easy it was to have it destroyed.

Obviously, it was quite hard to start my life again when I arrived in the Netherlands. I kept continuing, although not in the capacity of an entrepreneur. Instead, I’m now working for VluchtelingenWerk as a translator. I know what they’ve been through and I also know how difficult life can be. I realize how important it is to speak the Dutch language and hope to encourage them in speaking Dutch too.

Having heard your story, what would you like to advise others?Don’t judge anyone without knowing him or her. How you look might not be who you are. I need to have a chat with you before I can assess your personality. In addition, and I think I have the right to speak, please keep in mind that nothing in life is easy. Do everything you can until you stop breathing.

Disclaimer: this interview was conducted in Dutch and has been translated and rewritten to English.

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https://aeuo.eu/blogs/dlod/dont-let-others-decide-kidane2017-11-12T20:30:00+01:002017-11-13T22:13:28+01:00What freedom means to KidaneFerkan Metin
Aside from the access to education the Netherlands provides, this country provides something far more important: freedom.

What indisputably stands out most about Kidane’s appearance is his charming smile. His eyes seem to talk when he smiles. His mouth, however, doesn’t say that much. What he does say, though, cuts without exception straight to the point.

What would be your absolute dream, here, in the Netherlands?There’s two things I would like to do in the near future: studying business marketing or becoming a barber. The former is because of my fondness for mathematics, the latter because of my neighbour in Eritrea, who was also a barber.

Do you think you can realize those dreams over here?Yes, absolutely. Aside from the access to education the Netherlands provides, it provides something far more important: freedom. We can become whoever we want to be. I can study whatever I want. Here, we’re not forced to enter the draft (or dienstplicht) when we’re 18 either. That’s the main reason why many of us fled the country before turning 18.

What would freedom entail for you?Democracy. To speak openly. In Eritrea, it is not easy to express yourself publicly. Apart from the weather, the degree of democracy would be the biggest difference between The Netherlands and Eritrea.

Given this difference, is there anything you would like to ask the Dutch?

Yes, I would like to ask for their understanding. We’re not fleeing our country for no reason. I know it is hard to relate to people one doesn’t know that well, but a little more compassion wouldn’t hurt. Let it be clear, I owe a great deal to people over here - they’ve been trying to understand and help me since I’ve arrived in the Netherlands. Asking for their understanding is therefore absolutely no offense.

Disclaimer: this interview was conducted in Dutch and has been translated and rewritten to English.

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https://aeuo.eu/blogs/dlod/dont-let-others-decide-firas2017-11-12T19:31:00+01:002017-11-13T22:13:58+01:00Meet Firas: student, violinist, and soon-to-be famedFerkan MetinWhile listening to Firas it is hard to believe our interviewee is only 23 years old.

While listening to Firas it is hard to believe our interviewee is only 23 years old. It would be an understatement to say he ‘has been through a lot’. His frame of mind, however, seems untouched - as one realizes after reading about his dreams and ambitions.

What would be your absolute dream, Firas?“I want to be well-known. I don’t know how yet, but I am definitely going to be famous after I’ve studied Engineering or International Financial Management. I do have a general idea about what path the walk though, as I like power and the world of finance. Becoming the next Minister van Financien would therefore be my absolute dream. Not that I worry though, now that I’m older and having acquired lots of life experience, I’m pretty sure I’ll properly decide what’s best for me.

Can you elaborate on these life experiences?Well, obviously, I’ve felt the horrors of war. I’ve seen many people leaving their country. I, myself, lived in a safe neighbourhood fortunately, although ‘safe’ is a relative term. Me and a friend decided we had to flee before it would have been too late. It took us five days to reach Turkey, after which we went to Greece. Pretty soon after we got our travel documents, the UN and Red Cross helped us to reach the Netherlands.

You’ve been here for a while now. What is your overall impression about the Dutch people?When I arrived, I had zero knowledge about this country. I’ve ran into quite some people now and there’s only one thing that comes to mind if I think of the Dutch: welcoming. There are so many nice people in the Netherlands. Honestly, I haven’t encountered any unkind individual so far.

Speaking of which, would you think you are able to realize your dreams over here?Absolutely. I feel like everything is possible in the Netherlands. I feel empowered by the people around me. Everyone around me encourages me to continue what I’m doing, which honestly, feels pretty good and inspiring.

In what exactly are you encouraged to continue?Where I’m from, I went to the conservatory where I wanted to take singing classes. Unfortunately, I could only apply for instrument related classes. Intuitively, I chose the violin. I practiced for about seven months after which the war started. After I got here, I had to start all over again. I’ve been playing for six months now and I feel very encouraged to keep practicing and improve my skills. I would love to keep learning new songs and techniques, to the extent that I eventually can perform in front of many people over here. I’ll definitely keep trying!

Disclaimer: this interview was conducted in Dutch and has been translated and rewritten to English.

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https://aeuo.eu/blogs/dlod/dont-let-others-decide-sahar2017-11-12T19:00:00+01:002017-11-17T15:14:28+01:00Seize the day like SaharFerkan Metin
Sahar’s name means early, positive, and energetic in Farsi. Admittedly, no other name could have described her more accurately.

Sahar’s name means early, positive, and energetic in Farsi. Admittedly, no other name could have described her more accurately. Before she came to the Netherlands, however, the opposite held truth. “God really held a mirror up to me”, Sahar gladly tells.

How does life in the Netherlands differ from life in Iran?I was the kind of girl that took taxis instead of the bus and that didn’t have to worry about price tags. I never learned to deal with money since my family was quite rich. I wasn’t necessarily the most positive or loving individual on earth.

Now, after being seven years in the Netherlands, I became a completely different person. I converted to Christianity. God helped me in achieving changing myself. Today, I’m genuinely happy and more open toward other people. I get in touch with everybody and like every single one of them.

What would you advice others, knowing what you know now?Seize the day, at all times. Help people in achieving happiness. Share everything you live. Also, make sure to give enough space to others that make mistakes. Know we are all different and life can be hard.

Where does ‘seizing the day’ manifests itself in for you?Well, my weekly schedules are always busy because of all the lovely things I do. For instance, I teach youngsters about refugee related matters in the capacity of a project advisor for VluchtelingenWerk. I tell them about my experiences after which they can ask questions. Also, I take Dutch and English courses and I’m currently studying for becoming a dental assistant.

I am also fond of dancing. Ballet, hip hop, whatever. When I find it hard to stay positive or to actually ‘seize the day’, I dance. It helps me to shift focus.

Would you say you can realize your dreams in the Netherlands?I already did! I always wanted to study and ride bikes with my little brother, here in the Netherlands. In regards to my other dreams: I don’t know yet. I try my very best, but at the same time I realize that God already has a plan for me. He knows what is good for me.

Disclaimer: this interview was conducted in Dutch and has been translated and rewritten to English.

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https://aeuo.eu/blogs/dlod/dont-let-others-decide-jubran2017-11-12T18:30:00+01:002017-11-13T22:12:45+01:00Jubran inspires himself and othersFerkan Metin
He tends to ‘blame’ his accent on his perfectionism, or as he would put it: “I only do things well or I don’t do it at all”.

Initially, when interviewing Jubran some doubts were raised whether this was indeed 22 year old HAVO-student Jubran from Syria. It turned out he was, speaking Hagenees like it was no big deal, complete with some typical Haagse bluf. He tends to ‘blame’ his accent on his perfectionism, or as he would put it: “I only do things well or I don’t do it at all”.

What would be your absolute dream, Jubran?I want to become a great man. I don’t know what kind of great man yet, but in any case one that is happily living his life, without having to worry about money. And one that is well-educated of course.

Next to that, I would like to sing more often than I do now. Singing is my passion, but I don’t really do it that much nowadays, as bar owners want me to sing songs that I don’t like. I love singing songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, mostly with Arabic roots, but obviously, that’s not that well aligned with Dutch folk music.

Your travel to the Netherlands seems pretty unusual. Can you tell us more about this?Well, it was no luxury cruise of course, but it was okay. The boat we took from Turkey to Greece carried ‘only’ thirty people. After arriving in Greece, we were lucky enough to continue our journey by airplane. We haven’t been exposed to any danger on our trip, fortunately. Why? Because, first of all, I had enough money. Secondly, I managed to act rationally. It is very important to behave ‘conventionally’. The police will notice any suspicious behaviour immediately, which may trouble one’s passage.

Once here, what attracted you most?For me, the Netherlands equals freedom. Human rights are valued properly. There’s no such thing as a handful of people exerting power, like in Syria. What is also pretty valuable to me, is the degree of impartiality the Dutch employed during recent wars. They have mostly been focusing on protecting their people, instead of damaging opponents.

Next to that, I’m quite sure I’ll be able to realize my dreams over here, which is obviously also not unimportant.

Is there, nonetheless, any advice you would like to give to the Dutch?Yes, although it wouldn’t necessarily be directed at Dutch people, but at society in general. Deal with your issues ‘simply’ by working on yourself. Stop thinking about the past and look forward to what is yet to come. There’s no way you can exert control, nor influence over the past.

You come across as having a strong personality. Do you agree?Yes. I’m aware that the following may sound a bit strange - but I try to inspire others and myself. I think I just have it in me. I came here by myself, I’ve done everything on my own. In Syria, on the contrary, I was pampered more or less. I even had a private teacher. Realizing this transformation, it makes me even more proud to see where I am now. The man standing behind me today, is me.

Disclaimer: this interview was conducted in Dutch and has been translated and rewritten to English.

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https://aeuo.eu/blogs/dlod/dont-let-others-decide-mary2017-11-12T18:00:00+01:002017-11-13T22:11:47+01:00Mary remains grateful no matter whatFerkan Metin
Being thankful, and humbly counting her blessings in doing so,is exactly what makes Mary’s story so powerful.

When being asked how the Dutch could help her feel more comfortable, Mary responds by telling how she would like to thank everyone for being helped this much already. Being thankful, and humbly counting her blessings in doing so,is exactly what makes Mary’s story so powerful.

What is your opinion about the Netherlands, Mary?First and foremost, it’s a safe country, which was the main reason for coming here. Women have the same rights as men. Back where I come from, women are not allowed to work or study. Marriages are arranged without a woman’s consent. Additionally, ‘boyfriends’ were a no-fly zone. I used to have a Nigerian boyfriend - I could have been killed if they would have known this. Here, I can love whoever I want to love.

Plus, the Dutch are very helpful. A family from here has helped me during my first steps in the Netherlands, for which I remain grateful for the rest of my life. I even call them my Dutch mom and dad. They are God’s gift, without a doubt.

Who else helped you a lot in becoming the woman you are today?This may sound a bit strange, but Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez have definitely inspired me. I’ve read both their bios. They’re both strong and independent women, who have been through a lot and now rule the world. I have also been through a lot myself, and although not ruling the world, I kept continuing without giving up.

Would that also be the advice you would give to others?Yes, definitely. Keep doing what you’re doing and never give up. Eventually you’ll reach your goals. And to the Dutch I would like to ask to please be grateful for living in such a safe and beautiful country. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Speaking of goals, what are yours?Getting a degree in social care, about which I am very passionate. Staying true to myself, without letting any culture or supposed norms intervene.